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With an excellent offensive and defensive typing, acceptable Attack, and a great offensive movepool alongside Defiant, Pawniard is a solid deterrent against Defog users such as Articuno and Altaria lacking Flamethrower. However, Pawniard needs to be wary of pivoting and coverage due to its low bulk even with Eviolite. Swords Dance makes Pawniard even harder to switch into, making it a scary cleaner late-game. Knock Off is not only its primary attack, but also cripples walls like Tangela and Galarian Stunfisk. Most importantly, it cripples switch-ins reliant on Heavy-Duty Boots like Rapidash, Miltank, and Alolan Persian. Sucker Punch is useful late-game for sweeping through weakened foes like Froslass and Jynx. Pawniard synergizes nicely with Pokemon that can provide entry hazards, such as Qwilfish, Palossand, and Stunfisk. Roselia pairs particularly well, as Pawniard can punish Defog attempts from Altaria and Articuno, while Roselia can switch into Stunfisk, Sawk, and Rhydon. Physical attackers like Swords Dance Rapidash and Silvally formes can capitalize on Pawniard's Knock Off support and clean up teams late-game. Rapid Spin users like Morpeko and Cryogonal can clear hazards while keeping their own for Pawniard to take advantage of.

Moves Knock Off serves as Pawniard’s main STAB move and can also be used to cripple Pokemon by removing items such as Ferroseed's Eviolite and Gastrodon's Leftovers. Sucker Punch provides priority, which allows Pawniard to hit faster foes such as Swanna and Alolan Raichu and more easily sweep through weakened teams. Set Details A Jolly nature is an alternative option to an Adamant nature that enables Pawniard to outspeed certain Pokemon such as Timid Aurorus and Jolly Golurk. However, this is at the cost of the preferred power. Defiant is Pawniard's only good ability, as it lets Pawniard take advantage of Defog users such as physical Skuntank and other stat-lowering moves such as Alolan Persian’s Parting Shot. Eviolite gives Pawniard some bulk that allows it to more easily switch in and potentially set up on Pokemon like Choice Scarf Shiftry. Usage Tips Pawniard serves as an average wallbreaker that can defeat walls such as Type: Null and Sableye, which allows teammates to more easily clean up after it. Pawniard often scares out many of these walls, as they can do little in return, which it can use as an opportunity to set up a Swords Dance. This can also be accomplished against Pokemon it resists moves from. Pawniard can also utilize Swords Dance along with Sucker Punch to serve as a late-game sweeper. In this instance, it prefers to have its threats such as Primeape and Gurdurr taken out beforehand, as they can stop it from sweeping. However, Pawniard can lure these foes in early-game and take advantage of Knock Off to remove their items and cripple them. Pawniard should be switched in against a predicted move such as Skuntank's Defog or Silvally-Ghost's Parting Shot in order to activate Defiant. This leads to opponents having to decide between the risk of activating Pawniard's Defiant or leaving the entry hazards. However, be wary that the opponent may instead go for an attack or switch into a better matchup in attempt to take out Pawniard. This can be accomplished by opponents relatively easily, too, due to Pawniard's low defenses. It is because of this that Pawniard often prefers to be brought onto the field without having to take a hit, ideally after a teammate has been KOed or through a slow pivot such as Lanturn's Volt Switch. If you're using Sucker Punch, the opponent may take advantage of it to set up a Substitute, so watch out for Substitute users such as Alolan Dugtrio. Finally, if Pawniard shows little threat to the opposing team, it can be used to take out a specific foe such as Oricorio-G or Sableye before being sacrificed. Team Options Special wallbreakers such as Aurorus and Drampa can help break down physically bulky Pokemon such as Tangela, while Pawniard can help against specially bulky Pokemon such as Clefairy and Audino. Both can also take Will-O-Wisps for Pawniard. Faster Pokemon such as Lycanroc and Floatzel also benefit from Pawniard's wallbreaking, as it allows them to more easily come in and clean up the match. They can also help against faster threats for Pawniard such as Simisear. Fighting-types can stop Pawniard in its tracks with relative ease, so Fighting checks such as Swanna, Oricorio-G, and Silvally-Fairy are vital. Swanna can also help against Ground-types, as can other Ground checks such as Eelektross and Gastrodon. Hazard setters such as Regirock, Golurk, Smeargle, and Shuckle also benefit from Pawniard’s Defiant. Furthermore, Stealth Rock allows Pawniard to OHKO Pokemon such as Simisear with +2 Sucker Punch, while Sticky Web can help against faster threats such as Stoutland. Furthermore, Ghost-types can form a core with Pawniard that punishes both forms of hazard removal.

Moves Knock Off is Pawniard's primary STAB move that also has the added benefit of removing items, crippling Eviolite users such as Mareanie and Machoke. Sucker Punch enables Pawniard to clean weakened teams once it has set up with Swords Dance. Iron Head allows Pawniard to hit Fairy-types such as Granbull for super effective damage and chip away at Dark- and Fighting-types such as Silvally-Dark and Machoke, which would otherwise easily switch into it. Set Details Maximum Attack investment and an Adamant nature allow Pawniard to sweep as easily as possible, guaranteeing an OHKO against Electivire after Stealth Rock damage with +2 Sucker Punch, which it can not attain with a Jolly nature. Defiant allows Pawniard to discourage the use of Defog and Parting Shot from the likes of Silvally-Dark and to take advantage of Intimidate Mawile and Granbull, two go-to Dark-type switch-ins. Usage Tips Swords Dance should be used early- and mid-game to help Pawniard break through defensive Pokemon such as Mareanie and Lickilicky or to sweep late-game. Pawniard can set up late-game against Pokemon such as Leafeon or on forced switches against Choice Scarf users such as Electivire and Silvally. It is vital that entry hazards be set and the opposing team weakened to help Pawniard sweep. For example, Stealth Rock damage ensures revenge killers such as Choice Scarf Rapidash, Electivire, and Swanna faint to +2 Sucker Punch and that slower Pokemon such as Marowak, Lickilicky, and Bellossom are OHKOed by +2 Knock Off or Iron Head. Knock Off should be used to cripple defensive cores by removing items such as Eviolite and Leftovers from Pokemon such as Machoke and Komala. In addition, Pawniard can bait in Knock Off switch-ins and double switch to a teammate to keep up momentum. Pawniard can switch into an expected Defog to gain a +2 boost from Defiant, but it must be wary of certain coverage moves from common Defog users such as Flamethrower from Altaria and Scald from Swanna, as the opponent may predict Pawniard coming in. By the same token, Pawniard must be careful of getting trapped by Magnet Pull trappers such as Alolan Golem and Probopass, which can prevent a sweep or render Pawniard useless early. As such, Pawniard should double switch to avoid getting trapped by these Pokemon until they are sufficiently weakened. Team Options Entry hazard setters such as Golem and Crustle are crucial partners due to their ability to wear down Pawniard's checks with Stealth Rock and Spikes. Also, Shuckle and Leavanny can support Pawniard with Sticky Web, which allows it to outspeed Pokemon such as Electivire and Pinsir that would otherwise revenge kill it. In return, Pawniard can deter Defog users from removing the entry hazards. Wallbreakers such as Expert Belt Electivire and Z-Mirror Move Swanna also make for good teammates because they appreciate Pawniard's ability to pressure Defog users. Moreover, these wallbreakers can check Silvally-Water, Floatzel, and Silvally-Fighting for Pawniard and pave a way for it to sweep late-game. Similarly, wallbreakers such as Choice Specs Beheeyem and Choice Band Granbull can also break through Pawniard's checks such as Silvally-Fighting. In return, Pawniard takes advantage of Pokemon such as Bronzor. On the other hand, Fighting-type checks such as Mareanie can help check Pokemon that threaten Pawniard such as Combusken, Monferno, and Silvally-Fighting. Mareanie also has the benefit of providing Pawniard with Toxic Spikes support to wear down its checks even further.

Moves Swords Dance boosts Pawniard's Attack, allowing it to break through bulkier Pokemon and making it a threatening sweeper. Knock Off is Pawniard's most spammable move, as it hits hardest if the foe has an item and it can cripple Pokemon such as Ferroseed by removing its Eviolite. Sucker Punch allows Pawniard to pick off faster foes such as Floatzel, especially at +2 Attack. Iron Head also gains the STAB boost, and it is important in taking on Fairy-types such as Mega Audino and Rock-types such as Regirock as well as hitting Fighting-types such as Hariyama for neutral damage. Set Details Maximum Attack and Speed investment along with an Adamant nature makes Pawniard as strong and as fast as possible while still being able to outspeed Pokemon such as Golurk and Aurorus. Eviolite improves Pawniard's overall bulk, which allows it to take hits better and find more setup opportunities. Defiant discourages Defog from Pokemon such as Prinplup and Archeops and deters Pokemon with Intimidate such as Mawile from switching in. Usage Tips Knock Off should be Pawniard's main move of choice, especially early in battles, as it can be helpful to weaken its checks and counters upon switching in while also crippling them by removing their item. Once Pawniard is in against a Pokemon that doesn't threaten it such as defensive Mawile or Musharna, it should use Swords Dance for a possible late-game sweep once its checks are weakened. On a predicted Defog from Pokemon such as Prinplup and Archeops, Pawniard can be switched in to gain a +2 Attack boost, although it should be wary of Scald and Earthquake, respectively. Don't switch Pawniard directly into strong special attacks, as it has trouble taking even resisted hits from Pokemon such as Aurorus. Team Options Pawniard works best on hazard stacking teams thanks to its ability Defiant, so Pokemon such as Rhydon and Garbodor make for great partners for their ability to set up Stealth Rock, Spikes, and Toxic Spikes, respectively. Physical wallbreakers such as Tauros are helpful for breaking down physical walls so that Pawniard can sweep. On the contrary, other physical setup sweepers such as Samurott and Combusken appreciate Pawniard's ability to cripple and break down walls with Knock Off. Pawniard appreciates Pokemon such as Pelipper and Mesprit that can take on opposing Fighting-types, which Pawniard struggles with greatly. Pokemon that can check Ground-types, such as Ludicolo and Gourgeist-XL, are very helpful in providing switches into Pokemon such as Rhydon and Torterra, which Pawniard struggles with.

Moves Knock Off is Pawniard's main Dark-type STAB move and comes with the added bonus of removing items, and Sucker Punch is its main cleaning move at +2. Iron Head hits Dark- and Fairy-types such as Vullaby and Clefairy. Swords Dance can be used to set up a sweep, while Pursuit can get chip damage on Pokemon that Pawniard forces out such as Dusknoir and Dodrio. Stealth Rock can be fit into the last slot on teams that lack a Stealth Rock setter. Brick Break can also be used to OHKO opposing Pawniard and 2HKO Probopass. Set Details Maximum Attack investment and an Adamant nature let Pawniard sweep more easily, and maximum Speed investment helps Pawniard beat out as much as possible without resorting to Sucker Punch. Eviolite helps Pawniard check a number of Pokemon, such as Stoutland and Leafeon, when combined with its great natural resistances. Defiant helps Pawniard discourage Defog and gives Pawniard an automatic Attack boost versus Sticky Web teams. Usage Tips Knock Off is Pawniard's best move to use in most scenarios, as it can cripple teams late-game and remove Eviolites from switch-ins. Pawniard can be brought in on predicted Defogs for the Defiant boost, but be careful, as Swanna and Vibrava can do significant damage to Pawniard with Scald and Earthquake, respectively. Pawniard can set up a Swords Dance early-game to weaken bulky foes such as Vullaby to ease late-game sweeps. If running Pursuit, try to not be too predictable, as most foes that Pawniard forces out, such as Dusknoir, can stay in predicting Pursuit, take the weaker attack, and cripple or KO Pawniard. You should also beware of getting Pawniard trapped by Probopass; avoid giving it a free switch in or being too predictable with switching Pawniard in. Team Options Entry-hazard stacking teammates such as Golem and Venipede can help to wear down Pawniard's switch-ins while Pawniard deters Defoggers from removing the entry hazards. Physical wallbreakers and cleaners such as Dodrio and Fraxure can be paired with Pawniard to break down each other's counters. Pokemon that benefit from Ghost- and Psychic-types being Pursuit trapped such as Bouffalant and Monferno also pair well with Pawniard. Fighting-type checks such as Grumpig and Clefairy are essential to take on Pawniard's biggest weakness. Clerics such as Audino can also help to keep Pawniard healthy. Floatzel is a notable offensive partner, as it threatens Ground- and Fire-types and absorbs Will-O-Wisp for Pawniard, while Pawniard checks Grass-types for Floatzel.

When equipped with Swords Dance, Pawniard can leverage its solid STAB attacks, good coverage, and extremely powerful priority in Sucker Punch to cleave through defense and offense alike. Although Pawniard is still frail even when outfitted with Eviolite, its Dark / Steel typing has plenty of resistances, giving Pawniard setup opportunities against passive walls like Wormadam-S, Vullaby, and Clefairy lacking Thunder Wave. Pawniard can also set up on weaker physical attackers like Persian and Emolga and Choice-locked Pokemon like Mr. Mime, Grumpig, and Gastly. Pawniard's STAB Sucker Punch is a strong priority move that staves off frail would-be revenge killers like Simisear and Raichu, outright OHKOing them after a Swords Dance even though they are not weak to it. STAB Iron Head complements Sucker Punch, breaking physically defensive Pokemon like Solrock and Graveler, circumventing the chance to fail Sucker Punch has, and potentially flinching down walls like Clefairy, Hippopotas, and Vibrava. Pursuit provides Pawniard offensive utility, picking off weakened Dark-weak Pokemon, like Choice-locked Mr. Mime, Grumpig, and Gastly. Offensive pivots like Persian and Emolga often lack the coverage to significantly damage Pawniard and thus are also vulnerable to Pursuit. Night Slash is a strong, reliable Dark-type STAB move to beat Steel-resistant walls like Frillish, which resists Iron Head and can deny Sucker Punch by using Will-O-Wisp. Low Kick lets Pawniard break Lairon, which otherwise tanks Pawniard's STAB moves. Pawniard fits on offensive teams, as they appreciate Pawniard's wallbreaking, potential to sweep, and decent defensive profile for a wallbreaker. Fast cleaners like Simisear, Raichu, and Mr. Mime greatly appreciate Pawniard breaking down defensive cores for them. Offensive pivots like Persian and Emolga help bring Pawniard in safely while luring in physical walls like Wormdam-S and Solrock for Pawniard to break. Mienfoo is a significant problem for Pawniard, so Muk and Arbok make helpful partners, while Pawniard can protect them from offensive Psychic-types like Grumpig and Mr. Mime. Setup sweepers like Shelgon and Leafeon benefit from Pawniard softening up physical walls so that they can sweep.

Pawniard's interesting typing makes it a unique choice for an offensive Stealth Rock setter, able to set up on opposing entry hazard setters like Solrock and non-Hidden Power Ground Wormadam-S. Sucker Punch finishes off frailer foes like Mr. Mime and Raichu; it also gives Pawniard more opportunities to set Stealth Rock. Iron Head is its most consistent STAB attack, notably hitting Solrock for a 2HKO while being faster than it, which prevents Solrock from aggressively switching into Pawniard like it could to Lairon. Its last slot is quite flexible: Pursuit traps and checkmates weakened foes like Emolga and Mr. Mime, Night Slash consistently threatens Frillish, Low Kick is its strongest option against Lairon and opposing Pawniard, and Swords Dance doubles up on its offensive capabilities by setting up on defensive threats like non-Hidden Power Ground Wormadam-T and Ivysaur. Offensive partners like Persian and Mienfoo enjoy benefitting from Pawniard's utility and decent matchup against standard Solrock sets, though Pawniard must be wary of Will-O-Wisp. In addition, thanks to its access to Sucker Punch, Pawniard's teammates also appreciate it being a decent offensive check to Psychic-types like non-Substitute Grumpig and Mr. Mime, though it must be wary of Fighting-type coverage. In return, they can pivot Pawniard into the field more safely to circumvent its mediocre bulk. Setup sweepers like Grumpig and Simisear also benefit from Pawniard being a solid offensive switch-in to Persian, a revenge killer that would otherwise be a serious threat to offensive builds. In return, these setup sweepers can do well against some of Pawniard's weaknesses, like Grumpig and Simisear checking Mienfoo and Lairon, respectively.